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Los Angeles FC

LAFC bolsters cancer research support during MLS’ #ScarvesUp campaign

For the entire month of September, MLS is dedicated to an important off-the-field cause — raising money for children’s cancer research. The campaign, which is celebrated with the hashtag #ScarvesUp, raises funds for the Children’s Oncology Group, an organization dedicated to researching cancer in children and adolescents.

The project is funded through MLS Works, the league’s community outreach program that spearheads fundraising efforts throughout the year. Like all other MLS teams, LAFC is joining the cause by donating $5 for every social media post that is tagged with the #ScarvesUp hashtag.

However, some members of LAFC are taking an extra step to offer support in the fight against pediatric cancer in Los Angeles. Goalkeeper Tyler Miller visited the pediatric oncology center at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, visiting young children and their families as a surprise.

Miller brought gifts and LAFC gear to each of the children, including a boy named Daniel, who was celebrating his fourth birthday. For most of his visit, Miller had to wear a surgical mask to avoid infecting the young patients. Later, he said that this small detail made a profound impact on him.

“That’s the first time that I ever had to put on a mask like that in a hospital setting around sick kids,” Miller said. “The significance of how something so small as germs and you breathing on them or you coughing, and then being able to catch the germs that are spread through the cough, it’s so small but it’s such significant part of life, it’s incredible.”

For Miller, the visit hit close to home — his father was diagnosed with lung cancer and his sister suffered a brain tumor that was removed in 2017. He felt the visit renewed his sense of appreciation and the importance of cherishing his time with loved ones. Even more so, he said it strengthened his resolve to expand his philanthropic work in the city. Miller previously hosted a fundraiser for the Austen Everett Foundation, which also works to fight pediatric cancer.

“This is just the beginning for me,” Miller said. “I’ve been a big philanthropic advocate over the years. Having the opportunity… to see these kids and see what they are going through, share their stories, and be able to just smile and laugh and bring presents to them, that means a lot to me. So, I am really excited for the future.”